Page 19 - BiTS_03_MARCH_2022

BiTS: A little bit.

WJ: Yes, because I explain on there, on the main page, that I really am retired because I can’t really
drive long distances anymore. I always liked to drive. I’m always carrying my little AER amplifier
and my guitar and maybe some clothes and a few CDs possibly. The old folk still buy CDs. So I have
to drive, and I enjoy driving anyway, but my legs are bad now and I can’t drive long distances. I
keep stopping. I’ve also got problems. I’ve got a lot of things wrong with me and my wife’s pretty

disabled as well, so I’m not really in the market for travelling anymore. I’m doing the odd little local
gig if I can get it, but I’m not chasing anything, although I should be. If I get a chance to do the odd
local gig, I’ll do it if I can, but I am way out of practice. I’ve hardly played in three years, so I don’t
know.

BiTS: Sorry, did I catch you right - you haven't been playing?

WJ: Not really. I’ve been playing a little bit at home on and off. But not being active, I think I’ve

done one gig in the last three years or two gigs, maybe.

BiTS: COVID has effectively closed everything down, especially for us oldies.

WJ: That hasn’t helped. I’ve got a few little local things lined up. Hopefully I’ll make them because
they’re London.

BiTS: I gather you have a son who’s a bit of a musician as well?

WJ: Yes, well I had three sons and they all played music, but only one of them did it professionally,

my eldest boy Simeon and he
was besotted with the blues as
well. Learned to play blues
harmonica and then tenor
Miles Davis, Three Deuces, saxophone. He worked
New York, August 1947 professionally for quite a long

time in various bands, but then
he got involved with kids and
families and stuff, and of
course, you can’t make a living
at it unless you’re successful. I
managed to do both, but I

wasn’t successful in either. I
compromised. I’ve got a family
and I’ve gigged as well, but it
doesn’t work. Unless you’re
successful in one of those
areas, it’s not going to work.

He had to give up playing professionally in the end and do other stuff. He still does play, if he can.
We’ve recorded together over the years lots of times and we still do the odd gig together if we can
find the time and stuff.

BiTS: When you’re relaxing now, what music do you listen to?